The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered that more than 1,000 Boeing 737 passenger jets be examined, prompted by reports that improperly installed parts could cause the aircraft to lose control.

The protective surface coating that attaches the pins to the horizontal rear spar — the fin on the tail of the aircraft that is parallel to the ground — may have been incorrectly applied. If those pins fail, the attachment of the fin to the fuselage would weaken, and the pilot could lose control.